Digital item application system via url

ABSTRACT

A data distribution system that distributes data adapting to a second terminal from a first terminal having data to the second terminal. The first terminal includes a data recording means that records data of a plurality of formats, a data distribution request receiving means that receives a distribution request of data adapting to the second terminal and that receives a URL related to the information of the second terminal, a terminal information acquiring means that acquires the information of the second terminal from the URL, a data selecting means that selects data adapting to the second terminal on the basis of the acquired information of the second terminal, and a data transmitting means that transmits the selected data to the second terminal. The second terminal includes a terminal information describing means that describes the information of the second terminal in tree structure, a URL recording means that transmits the information of the second terminal described in tree structure to a predetermined URL to record the information, a data distribution request means that requests the first terminal to distribute data adapting to the second terminal and that notifies the first terminal of the URL, and a data receiving means that receives the data from the first terminal.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to digital item adaptation (DIA) when thecapabilities of a terminal are fully understood and interpreted by aserver, a gateway, or another peer. The present invention also relatesto digital item adaptation which allows a well described terminal toaccess multimedia contents of different formats.

BACKGROUND ART

A large number of standards about video, audio, systems, communicationprotocols, contents descriptions, contents packaging, and the like havebeen formed by MPEG and other standard-setting organizations.

As a result, as existing contents, contents formed by different formatsobtained by different source coding methods such as MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG4,DV, DVCPRO, RTP, MP4, QuickTime, AVi, and ASF are known. At the sametime, devices and terminals are constructed by different references inconformity to predetermined but different standards. For example, theexisting DTV STB (set top box) can decode and play back MPEG2 systemhaving MPEG2 contents. However, audio coding is different from videocoding, and packaging formats of the contents are different from eachother, so that DV or MPEG4 contents cannot be played back.

The format of contents can be easily converted from a certain formatincluding a system format and an AV sourcing coding format to anotherformat, and a service provider can also provide contents in differentformats. However, only a terminal supports one or several formats.

In order to describe the actual state in which contents in a specificdata format cannot be played back by different terminals, conventionalarts are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, Device A of module 1.1 provides MPEG-2 MP@MLcontents to a user, and the MPEG-2 MP@ML contents can be played back byonly a terminal of DTV STB of module 1.4. The contents cannot be playedback by terminals of other modules 1.2, 1.3, and 1.5.

As shown in FIG. 2, Multimedia server of module 2.1 provides MPEG-2MP@ML contents to a user in an interactive two-way, the MPEG-2 MP@MLcontents can be played back by only DTV STB of module 2.4. The contentscannot be played back by terminals of other modules 2.2, 2.3, and 2.5.

As is apparent from the examples, in the actual state, access tocontents by terminals or networks in a wide area is restricted.

On the other hand, it is impossible to construct a terminal that candecode all different formats of contents because costs are excessivelyhigh.

The present invention focuses on defining terminal description havingsystematic structure and, more particularly, focuses on definingsub-elements such as system format and communication protocol.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention has as its object to solve the following problems.

A first problem allows the same contents to be accessed, picked, andacquired from any well described terminal.

A second problem allows a terminal to access any contents of differentdata formats, to pick the contents, and to acquire the contents.

It is desired to well describe a terminal such that like a storagemedium and an audio/video output supporting format, capabilities such asan AV coding format and system supporting format are reflected.Therefore, contents can be provided to a terminal in an appropriateformat by negotiation.

A data distribution system according to the present invention is asystem that distributes data adapting to a second terminal from a firstterminal having data to the second terminal. This system includes thefirst terminal having data and the second terminal to which the data isdistributed.

The first terminal includes:

-   -   a data recording means that records data of a plurality of        formats;    -   a data distribution request receiving means that receives a        distribution request of data adapting to the second terminal and        that receives a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) at which        information of the second terminal is recorded from the second        terminal;    -   a terminal information acquiring means that acquires the        information of the second terminal from the URL;    -   a data selecting means that selects data adapting to the        second-terminal on the basis of the acquired information of the        second terminal; and    -   a data transmitting means that transmits the selected data to        the second terminal.

The second terminal includes:

-   -   a terminal information describing means that describes the        information of the second terminal in tree structure;    -   a URL recording means that transmits the information of the        second terminal described in tree structure to a predetermined        URL to record the information at the URL;    -   a data distribution request means that requests the first        terminal to distribute data adapting to the second terminal and        that notifies the first terminal of the URL; and    -   a data receiving means that receives the data from the first        terminal.

The description of tree structure is defined with respect to a terminal,so that the capabilities of the terminal can be defined while reflectingthe AV and system coding capabilities, the AV input/output capability,the storage and I/O capabilities, the text markup language supporting,the communication protocol, the download capability, and the like of theterminal.

The description of tree structure is defined with respect to a terminal,so that the terminal can define the capabilities while reflecting theprocess output, the memory, the operating system, and the like of theterminal. The description can be referred to when a predeterminedsoftware is downloaded on the terminal.

Tree structure for a terminal having a hierarchical structure isdefined, so that a multimedia framework can easily and effectivelyprocess negotiation of terminal capabilities related to severalbranches-selected from the tree structure.

The description of tree structure of a terminal having a systematicstructure is defined to make it easy and simple to bury branches of thetree corresponding to different categories with respect to the terminalcapabilities.

The terminal can be well described by a tree structure.

In the first layer, DeviceProperty, Codec, InputOuput are described.

In the second layer:

-   1) below DeviceProperty, GeneralProperty (CPU, OS (operating    system), Memory, Power, VM), DataIO (Serial, Parallel, USB,    InfraRed, BlueTooth, Wireless 802), Storage (MMC (MultiMedia Card),    SD(Secure Disk), MS(Memory Stick), HD(Hard Disk), DVD-RAM, CD-RW,    Floppy (registered trademark), Zip Disk), SupportingTool (Global    Positioning System: GPS), Browser, IPMPTool, RELTool, and the like)    are described.-   2) Below Codec, AVDecoding (Audio, Video), AVEncoding (Audio,    Video), ImageFormat, TextFormat, SystemFormat (MPEG-2TS, MPEG-2PS,    MPEG-4, MP4, ASF, Avi, QuickTime, RTP, H.323, and the like) are    described.-   3) Below InputOutput, AudioInOut (Speaker, Mic), VideoInOut    (Display, CCD), TextInOut (Screen, PointingDevice, KeyPad, Keyboard)    are described.

A terminal description of tree structure is stored at a URL. Dependingon a negotiation message, a URL can be carried in place of any one ofall the branches and sub-branches of an actual terminal description toexecute digital item adaptation, and a transmission band width can besaved.

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

A terminal having a well-described structured DIA description canaccess, pick, and consume the contents of different formats, and can useanother application to extend the usability of the contents.

A multimedia framework can use the terminal description having the treestructure to negotiate with the terminal before contents are distributedto the terminal to achieve adaptation by the capabilities of theterminal.

A server or a gateway constructed by the DIA description of a definedstructure can select adaptation tools to convert content from one formatto another, to match with the required format by a terminal. As aresult, services can be achieved with respect to various terminals toextend business scale.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various objects, characteristics, and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent from preferable embodiments which will bedescribed later with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of conventional art 1 which provides contents to auser having terminals of different types in one direction.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of conventional art 2 which bidirectionally providescontents to a user having terminals of different types.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the Schema and Syntax related to a top levelstructure in a terminal description.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of the Schema and Syntax related to DevicePropertyin the terminal description.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of the Schema and Syntax related to Codec in theterminal description.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of the Schema and Syntax related to InputOutput inthe terminal description.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of the Schema and Syntax related to AVDecoding inthe terminal description.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of the Schema and Syntax related to SystemFormat inthe terminal description.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a data distribution system according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a data request method in a second terminal inthe data distribution system according to the embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a data distribution method in a firstterminal in the data distribution system according to the embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of the details of a process of selecting dataadaptive to the second terminal on the basis of information acquired inthe data distribution system according to the embodiment of the presentinvention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below withreference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals asin the drawings denote the same constituent elements or element havingthe same functions and the same operations in the drawings.

A constructed terminal will be described below with reference toinformation of a terminal described in tree structure. As theinformation of the terminal, pieces of information related to basiccharacteristics of the terminal, the AV coding capability of theterminal, input/output of the terminal, and the like are used. Thesepieces of information are hierarchized and described as branchinformation.

Layer Structure of Terminal Capability Definition

Layer 1

Layer structure

Layer 1 is top-level, as shown in FIG. 3 to show an outline of Layer 1,is constituted by three groups: DeviceProperty 3.1; Codec 3.2; andInputOutput 3.3.

Element names and their Semantics for Layer 1 are defined in Table 1.TABLE 1 Name Definition Terminal Device Property Describe terminal'sbasic property, Capability DataIO, Storage, and basic Supporting ToolCodec Describe terminal's AV Coding capability, System Format SupportingInput Output Describe terminal's Multimedia input and output Extensionfor future classes of extensions to capabilitiesLayer 2

Layer 2 is to further describe the elements in the Layer 1 groups.

Descriptions of Elements below Terminal DeviceProperty

As shown in FIG. 4 as an outline, this layer includes GeneralProperty4.1, DataIO 4.2, Storage 4.3, and SupportingTool 4.4.

Layer Structure

Element names and their Semantics are defined in Table 2. TABLE 2 Nameof Upper Layer Name Definition DeviceProperty GeneralProperty DescribeCPU, OS, Memory, Power VM (virtual memory) Data IO Describe Data I/Osuch as infrared, USB, BlueTooth, Serial, Parallel, and Wireless802Storage Describe storage format Supporting such as MMC, SD, MS, HD, DVD,VCD, Zip, and Floppy SupportingTool Describe terminal supporting toolssuch as GPS, Browser, IPMPTool, RELTool, and MetadataTool Extension forfuture classes of extension to capabilityDescriptions of Elements below Terminal Codec:

As shown in FIG. 5 as an outline, the branches include AVDecoding 5.1,AVEncoding 5.2, ImageFormat 5.3, TextFormat 5.4, and SystemFormat 5.5.

Layer Structure

Elements and their Semantics are defined in Table 3. TABLE 3 Upper LayerName Name Definition Codec AVDecoding Describe Audio and Video decodingformat supporting AVEncoding Describe Audio and Video encoding formatsupporting ImageFormat Describe Image coding format supportingTextFormat Describe Text format supporting SystemFormat Describe systemformat supporting Extension for future classes of extension tocapabilityDescriptions of Elements below Terminal InputOutput

As shown in FIG. 6 as an outline, the branches include AudioInputOutput6.1, VideoInputOutput 6.2, and TextInputOutput 6.3.

Layer Structure

Elements and their Semantics are defined in Table 4. TABLE 4 Upper LayerName Name Definition InputOutput AudioInOut Describe Audio input/outputcapability like loudspeaker, microphones VideoInOut Describe Videoinput/output capability like display, CCD camera TextInOut Describe Textinput/output capability like screen, pointing, KeyPad, Keyboard, mouseExtension for future classes of extensions to capability

Details related to other DeviceProperty, InputOutput, and the like arenot explained and described. However, a detailed explanation related toCodec will be performed in the next section.

Description for Codec Element:

The Codec element is constituted by AVDecoding, AVEncoding, ImageFormat,TextFormat, and SystemFormat.

FIG. 7 shows an outline of AVDecoding and sub-elements thereof. Elementnames and their Semantics are defined in Table 5. TABLE 5 NameDefinition AVDecoding Tools for describing the decoding capability ofterminal. Format (7.1) Describes video/audio coding format Video (7.2)Describe decoding capability specific to video Audio (7.3) Describedecoding capability specific to audio BitRateAudio (7.4) Indicates thenominal bit rate in bit/s. BitRateVideo (7.4) BufferSize (7.5) indicatethe buffer size for Video/Audio coding; for example, in AVC coding, itis highly preferred for a Hypothetical Reference Decoder (HRD) model toobtain the allocated video Buffer Size in a video decoder for bettervideo streaming performance. The video/audio BufferSize is not the equalto buffer size matched to the profile and level of the MPEG standards.Extension for future classes of extension to capabilities Threeattributes exist under “BitRate” element of audio/video Value Indicatesthe normal numerical value for the BitRate in case of constant bit rate(required) Maximum Indicates the maximum numerical value for the BitRatein case of variable bit rate (optional) Average Indicates the averagenumerical value for the BitRate in the case of variable bit rate(optional)

As an audio codec, MPEG-1, Layer3 (MP3), MPEG2, Layer2, MPEG4 AAC, dolbyAC3, or the like can be used. As a video codec, MPEG1, an MPEG2 mainprofile, an MPEG4 simple profile, MPEG4 AVC, WM9 (Windows Media 9),RealVideo, or the like can be used.

Descriptions of AVEncoding

This AVEncoding is identical with AVDecoding shown in FIG. 7 and Table5.

Description of ImageFormat:

This is to describe an image format such as JPEG, JPEG2000, Gif, Taga,BitMap, PNG, or TIFF supported by a terminal.

Descriptions of TextFormat

This is to describe a text format such as ASCII, Shift-JIS, HTML, XML,or SMIL supported by a terminal.

Descriptions of SystemFormat:

FIG. 8 shows a concept of SystemFormat and sub-elements of SystemFormat.

Element names and their Semantics are shown in Table 6. TABLE 6 NameDefinition SystemFormat Tools for describing system format supporting ofa terminal MPEG2 TS Describes MPEG2 Transport (8.1) Multi/de-multiplexsupporting PS Describes MPEG2 Program Multi/de-multiplex supportingMPEG4 Part 1 Describes MPEG4 system format supporting (8.2) based on thebasis of MPEG4 Part 1 Part 11 Describes MPEG4 system format supportingbased on the basis of MPEG4 Part 11 Part 12 Describes MPEG4 systemformat supporting based on the basis of MPEG4 Part 12 Part 13 DescribesMPEG4 system format supporting based on the basis of MPEG4 Part 13. Part14 Describes MPEG4 system format supporting based on the basis of MPEG4Part 14. Part 15 Describes MPEG4 system format supporting based on thebasis of MPEG4 Part 15 Part 16 Describes MPEG4 system format supportingbased on the basis of MPEG4 Part 16 SystemFF MP4 Describes MP4 fileformat supporting (8.3) Quick Describes QuickTime format supporting TimeASF Describes ASF file format supporting MP2 Describes MP2 formatsupporting MP21 Describes MP21 format supporting Avi Describes AViformat supporting Communication RTP Describes RTP protocol supportingProtocol H.323 Describes H.323 protocol supporting (8.4) HTTP DescribesHTTP protocol supporting TCP/IP Describes TCP/IP protocol supporting SIPDescribes SIP protocol supporting Extension for future classes ofextensions to capabilities

A data distribution system, i.e., a digital item adaptation systemaccording to the embodiment of the present invention will be describedbelow with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram ofthe data distribution system. FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a data requestmethod in a second terminal. FIG. 11 is a flow chart of the datadistribution system in a first terminal. FIG. 12 is a flow chart of thedetails of a process of selecting data adapting to the second terminalon the basis of acquired information.

The data distribution system according to the embodiment of the presentinvention is a system that distributes adaptive data from a firstterminal 10 having data to a second terminal 20.

The first terminal 10 includes:

-   -   a data recording means 11 that records data of a plurality of        formats;    -   a data distribution request receiving means 12 that receives a        URL related to information of the second terminal from the        second terminal and that receives a distribution request of data        adapting to the second terminal;    -   a terminal information acquiring means 13 that acquires the        information of the second terminal from the URL;    -   a data selecting means 14 that selects the data adapting to the        second terminal on the basis of the acquired information of the        second terminal; and    -   a data transmitting means 15 that transmits the selected data to        the second terminal.

The second terminal 20 includes:

-   -   a terminal information describing means 21 that describes        information of the second terminal in tree structure;    -   a URL recording means 22 that transmits the information of the        second terminal described in tree structure to a predetermined        URL and that records the information;    -   a data distribution request means 23 that notifies the fist        terminal of a URL related to the information of the second        terminal and that requests the first terminal to distribute data        adapting to the second terminal; and    -   a data receiving means 24 that receives the data from the first        terminal.

In this data distribution system 30, a data distribution request is sentfrom the second terminal to the first terminal, i.e., negotiation isperformed, and data is distributed from the first terminal to the secondterminal. In this case, a data distribution request method in the secondterminal will be described below. The data distribution request methodin the second terminal, as shown in FIG. 10, includes steps (a) to (e):

-   -   (a) Constructing the second terminal (S01). The details of the        step of constructing the second terminal will be described        later.    -   (b) Describing information of the second terminal in tree        structure (S02). In this case, the information of the second        terminal includes pieces of information related to the basic        characteristics of the constructed second terminal, the AV        coding capabilities of the second terminal, and multimedia        input/output of the second terminal. These pieces of information        are branched as branch information and described in tree        structure. The pieces of information are described in tree        structure, so that necessary information can be easily extracted        from a large number of pieces of information related to the        second terminal. Data selection in the first terminal can be        easily performed. As the tree structure description, as shown in        FIGS. 3 to 8, the pieces of information can be described by        using XML. The pieces of branch information are defined as an        upper layer and a lower layer which are hierarchized.    -   (c) Transmitting the information of the second terminal        described in tree structure to a predetermined URL to record the        information (S03). The URL may be a URL which can be accessed by        both the first terminal and the second terminal. For example,        the URL may be a site on an intranet or a site on the Internet.        When information of the second terminal is previously recorded,        of the characteristics of the constructed second terminal, only        branch information which must be updated may be updated.    -   (d) Causing the second terminal to notify the first terminal of        a URL related to the information of the second terminal and        requesting the first terminal to distribute data adapting to the        second terminal (S04). Data to be requested to be distributed        may be, e.g., a digital item. The step of data distribution        request is called a negotiate step. In this negotiate step, a        negotiation message including a URL related to the information        of the second terminal described in tree structure is        transmitted. The step of distribution request, a negotiation        message may be exchanged between the second terminal and the        first terminal a plurality of times.    -   (e) Receiving data from the first terminal (S05).

In addition, the step of constructing the second terminal (S01) will bedescribed below. The step of constructing the second terminal includesthe following steps of:

-   -   i) constructing the second terminal by selecting a CPU, an OS, a        memory, an output, and a VM (virtual machine) with respect to        general characteristics;    -   ii) constructing the second terminal by selecting USB,        BlueTooth, wireless 802, and a serial or parallel data I/O (data        input/output);    -   iii) constructing the second terminal by selecting a storage        medium such as a MultiMedia card (MMC), a Compact Flash        (registered trademark), a Secure Disk (SD), a MemoryStick (MS),        a hard disk (HD), a DVD, a VCD, a Zip disk, or a flexible disk;    -   iv) constructing the second terminal by selecting a supporting        tool such as a global positioning system (GPS), a Browser,        Intellectual Property Management and Protection tools (IPMP        tools), an REL (Rights Expression Language Tool), or a meta data        tool;    -   v) constructing the second terminal according to a predetermined        AV decoding format;    -   vi) constructing the second terminal according to predetermined        image format supporting;    -   vii) constructing the second terminal according to predetermined        text format supporting;    -   viii) constructing the second terminal according to        predetermined system format supporting;    -   ix) constructing the second terminal by providing a        predetermined audio output for reproducing sound or voice;    -   x) constructing the second terminal by providing a predetermined        video output for displaying a video or an image; and    -   xi) constructing the second terminal by providing a        predetermined text output for displaying a text.

In addition, the step of constructing the second terminal may includethe following steps of:

-   -   xii) constructing the second terminal according to a        predetermined AV encoding format;    -   xiii) constructing the second terminal by providing a        predetermined audio input for acquiring sound or voice;    -   xiv) constructing the second terminal by providing a        predetermined video input for acquiring a video or an image; and    -   xv) constructing the second terminal by providing a        predetermined text input for inputting a text.

The step of constructing the second terminal according to thepredetermined AV decoding format further includes the following stepsof:

-   -   i) selecting an audio decoding supporting format;    -   ii) selecting a video decoding supporting format;    -   iii) determining a bit rate for audio decoding;    -   iv) determining a bit rate for video decoding;    -   v) determining the maximum bit rate for audio decoding in coding        at a variable bit rate;    -   vi) determining the maximum bit rate for video coding in coding        at a variable bit rate;    -   vii) determining an average bit rate for audio decoding in        coding at a variable bit rate; viii) determining an average bit        rate for video decoding in coding at a variable bit rate; and    -   ix) determining a limited buffer size for audio or video        decoding.

Furthermore, the step of constructing the second terminal according tothe predetermined AV encoding format may further include the steps of:

-   -   i) selecting an audio encoding supporting format;    -   ii) selecting a video encoding supporting format;    -   iii) determining a bit rate for audio encoding;    -   iv) determining a bit rate for video encoding;    -   v) determining the maximum bit rate for audio encoding in coding        at a variable bit rate;    -   vi) determining the maximum bit rate for video encoding in        coding at a variable bit rate;    -   vii) determining an average bit rate for audio encoding in        coding at a variable bit rate;    -   viii) determining an average bit rate for video encoding in        coding at a variable bit rate; and    -   ix) determining a limited buffer size for audio or video        encoding.

The step of constructing the second terminal according to thepredetermined system format may further include the following steps of:

-   -   i) selecting MPEG2 system format supporting;    -   ii) selecting MPEG4 system format supporting;    -   iii) selecting predetermined file format supporting; and    -   iv) selecting predetermined communication protocol supporting.

The step of selecting the MPEG2 system format supporting may furtherinclude the following steps of:

-   -   i) determining MPEG2 transport system (TS) format supporting;        and    -   ii) determining MPEG2 program system (PS) format supporting.

Furthermore, the step of selecting the MPEG4 system format supportingmay further include the following steps of:

-   -   i) determining format supporting of MPEG4 system part 1;    -   ii) determining format supporting of MPEG4 system part 11;    -   iii) determining format supporting of MPEG4 system part 12;    -   iv) determining format supporting of MPEG4 system part 13;    -   v) determining format supporting of MPEG4 system part 14;    -   vi) determining format supporting of MPEG4 system part 15; and    -   vii) determining format supporting of MPEG4 system part 16.

The step of selecting the predetermined file format supporting mayfurther include the following steps of:

-   -   i) determining MP4 file format supporting;    -   ii) determining QuickTime file format supporting;    -   iii) determining AVi file format supporting;    -   iv) determining MP2 file format supporting;    -   v) determining MP21 file format supporting;    -   vi) determining ASF file format supporting;    -   vii) determining another file format used in another area; and    -   viii) determining a future file format.

Furthermore, the step of selecting the predetermined communicationprotocol may further include the following steps of:

-   -   i) determining RTP protocol supporting:    -   ii) determining H.323 protocol supporting:    -   iii) determining SIP protocol supporting:    -   iv) determining HTTP protocol supporting:    -   v) determining TCP/IP protocol supporting; and    -   vi) determining another protocol supporting.

The step of requesting the first terminal to perform data distributionto the second terminal (S04) may include the following steps of:

-   -   i) selecting some branch information in tree structure of the        information of the second terminal. In a data distribution        request, when branch information required for data selection in        the first terminal is selected in advance, the data selection in        the first terminal can be easily performed; and    -   ii) transmitting a URL related to the selected branch        information to the first terminal. In this step, URLs related to        pieces of branch information may be transmitted to the first        terminal.

A data distribution method in the first terminal will be describedbelow. The data distribution method is a method of distributing dataadapting to the second terminal, i.e., a digital item. The datadistribution method, as shown in FIG. 11, includes steps (a) to (d).

-   -   (a) Receiving a URL related to information of the second        terminal and receiving a distribution request of the data        adapting to the second terminal (S11). This step is called a        negotiation step. The step of receiving a distribution request,        a negotiation message may be exchanged between the first        terminal and the second terminal a plurality of times.

(b) Acquiring information of the second terminal described in treestructure (S12). As the information of the second terminal described intree structure, information related to basic characteristics of thesecond terminal, information related to AV coding capability of thesecond terminal, and pieces of information related to a multimediainput/output of the second terminal are branched and described as branchinformation. The upper layer and the lower layer of the branchinformation are defined by hierarchization.

(c) Selecting data adapting to the second terminal on the basis of theacquired information (S13). This step will be described later.

(d) Transmitting the selected data to the second terminal (S14).

The step of selecting data adapting to the second terminal on the basisof the information acquired in the first terminal (S13), as shown inFIG. 12, may further include the following steps of:

-   -   i) parsing the obtained information of the second terminal        described in tree structure (S21). The parsing can be performed        by a parser. The parser can be realized by hardware or software;        and    -   ii) selecting data adapting to the second terminal on the basis        of branch information described in tree structure and obtained        by the parsing (S22). As the branch information, for example,        corresponding to the AV coding capability of the second        terminal, data which can be played back by the second terminal,        for example, a digital item such as contents are selected.

The present invention is established by the following configuration.More specifically, a digital item adaptation system according to anotherembodiment of the present invention includes the steps of:

-   -   constructing a multimedia framework by converting contents to        prepare different support terminals having different        capabilities;    -   executing a negotiation protocol to obtain-a description of a        terminal and constructing a multimedia framework;    -   constructing a multimedia framework by operating a parser to        parse the description of the terminal obtained from a URL        designated by a negotiation message obtained through the        negotiation protocol;    -   transmitting a negotiation message to obtain the description of        the terminal from the URL;    -   parsing the obtained description of the terminal;    -   selecting contents on the basis of a format and capabilities        which are adapting to the terminal according to the parsed        description of the terminal; and    -   supplying the selected contents to the terminal.

As described above, the present invention has been described in detailwith reference to the preferable embodiments. However, the presentinvention is not limited to these embodiments. It will be apparent to aperson skilled in the art that a large number of preferable changes andmodifications can be effected within the technical scope of the presentinvention described in the scope of claims.

1. A data distribution system comprising a first terminal having dataand a second terminal, wherein the system distributes data adapting tothe second terminal from the first terminal to the second terminal,wherein the first terminal comprises: a data recording means thatrecords data of a plurality of formats; a data distribution requestreceiving means that receives a distribution request of data adapting tothe second terminal and that receives a URL at which information of thesecond terminal is recorded from the second terminal; a terminalinformation acquiring means that acquires the information of the secondterminal from the URL: a data selecting means that selects data adaptingto the second terminal on the basis of the acquired information of thesecond terminal; and a data transmitting means that transmits theselected data to the second terminal, and wherein the second terminalcomprises: a terminal information describing means that describes theinformation of the second terminal in tree structure; a URL recordingmeans that transmits the information of the second terminal described intree structure to a predetermined URL to record the information at theURL; a data distribution request means that requests the first terminalto distribute data adapting to the second terminal and that notifies thefirst terminal of the URL; and a data receiving means that receives thedata from the first terminal.
 2. A first terminal in a data distributionsystem that distributes data adapting to a second terminal from thefirst terminal having data to the second terminal, comprising: a datarecording means that records data of a plurality of formats; a datadistribution request receiving means that receives a distributionrequest of data adapting to the second terminal and that receives a URLat which the information of the second terminal from the secondterminal; a terminal information acquiring means that acquires theinformation of the second terminal from the URL; a data selecting meansthat selects the data adapting to the other terminal on the basis of theacquired information of the second terminal; and a data transmittingmeans that transmits the selected data to the second terminal.
 3. Asecond terminal in a data distribution system that distributes dataadapting to the second terminal from a first terminal having data to thesecond terminal, comprising: a terminal information describing meansthat describes information of the second terminal in tree structure; aURL recording means that transmits the information of the secondterminal described in tree structure to a predetermined URL and thatrecords the information at the URL; a data distribution request meansthat requests the first terminal to distribute data adapting to thesecond terminal and that notifies the fist terminal of the URL; and adata receiving means that receives the data from the first terminal. 4.A third terminal that, in a data distribution system that distributesdata adapting to a second terminal from a first terminal having data tothe second terminal, has a URL which can be accessed by the first andsecond terminals and records information of the second terminal,comprising: a terminal information receiving means that tree structuredescription of information of the first terminal from the secondterminal; a terminal information recording means that recordsinformation of the second terminal; and a terminal informationtransmission means that transmits the information of the second terminalto the first terminal in response to a distribution request of theinformation of the second terminal from the first terminal.
 5. A datarequest method in a second terminal in a data distribution system thatdistributes data adapting to the second terminal from a first terminalhaving data to the second terminal, comprising the steps of:constructing the second terminal; describing information of the secondterminal in tree-structure; transmitting the information of the secondterminal described in tree structure to a predetermined URL to recordthe information; requesting the first terminal to distribute dataadapting to the second terminal and notifying the first terminal of theURL from the second terminal; and receiving data from the firstterminal.
 6. The data request method according to claim 5, wherein asthe information of the second terminal described in tree structure,information related to basic characteristics of the second terminal,information related to AV coding capability of the second terminal, andpieces of information related to a multimedia input/output of the secondterminal are branched and described as branch information.
 7. The datarequest method according to claim 5, comprising the steps of: selectingsome branch information in tree structure of the information of thesecond terminal; and notifying the first terminal of a URL related tothe selected branch information to request the first terminal todistribute data to the second terminal.
 8. The data request methodaccording to claim 5, comprising the steps of: constructing the secondterminal by selecting a CPU, an OS, a memory, an output, and a VM(virtual machine) with respect to general characteristics; constructingthe second terminal by selecting USB, BlueTooth, wireless 802, and aserial or parallel data I/O (data input/output); constructing the secondterminal by selecting a storage medium such as a MultiMedia card (MMC),a Compact Flash (registered trademark), a Secure Disk (SD), aMemoryStick (MS), a hard disk (HD), a DVD, a VCD, a Zip disk, or aflexible disk; constructing the second terminal by selecting asupporting tool such as a global positioning system (GPS), a Browser,Intellectual Property Management and Protection tools (IPMP tools), anRELtool (Rights Expression Language Tool), or a meta data tool;constructing the second terminal according to a predetermined AVdecoding format; constructing the second terminal according to apredetermined image format supporting; constructing the second terminalaccording to a predetermined text format supporting; constructing thesecond terminal according to a predetermined system format supporting;constructing the second terminal by providing a predetermined audiooutput for reproducing sound or voice; constructing the second terminalby providing a predetermined video output for displaying a video or animage; and constructing the second terminal by providing a predeterminedtext output for displaying a text.
 9. The data request method accordingto claim 8, wherein the method of constructing the second terminalfurther includes the steps of: constructing the second terminalaccording to a predetermined AV encoding format; constructing the secondterminal by providing a predetermined audio input for acquiring sound orvoice; constructing the second terminal by providing a predeterminedvideo input for acquiring a video or an image; and constructing thesecond terminal by providing a predetermined text input for inputting atext.
 10. The data request method according to claim 8, wherein the stepof constructing the second terminal according to the predetermined AVdecoding format further includes the steps of: selecting an audiodecoding supporting format; selecting a video decoding supportingformat; determining a bit rate for audio decoding; determining a bitrate for video decoding; determining the maximum bit rate for audiodecoding in coding at a variable bit rate; determining the maximum bitrate for video coding in coding at a variable bit rate; determining anaverage bit rate for audio decoding in coding at a variable bit rate;determining an average bit rate for video decoding in coding at avariable bit rate; and determining a limited buffer size for audio orvideo decoding.
 11. The data request method according to claim 9,wherein the step of constructing the second terminal according to thepredetermined AV encoding format further includes the steps of:selecting an audio encoding supporting format; selecting a videoencoding supporting format; determining a bit rate for audio encoding;determining a bit rate for video encoding; determining the maximum bitrate for audio encoding in coding at a variable bit rate; determiningthe maximum bit rate for video encoding in coding at a variable bitrate; determining an average bit rate for audio encoding in coding at avariable bit rate; determining an average bit rate for video encoding incoding at a variable bit rate; and determining a limited buffer size foraudio or video encoding.
 12. The data request method according to claim8, wherein the step of constructing the second terminal according to thepredetermined system format further includes the steps of: selectingMPEG2 system format supporting; selecting MPEG4 system formatsupporting; selecting predetermined file format supporting; andselecting predetermined communication protocol supporting.
 13. The datarequest method according to claim 8, wherein the step of selecting theMPEG2 system format supporting further includes the steps of:determining MPEG2 transport system (TS) format supporting; anddetermining MPEG2 program system (PS) format supporting.
 14. The datarequest method according to claim 12, wherein the step of selecting theMPEG4 system format supporting further includes the steps of:determining format supporting of MPEG4 system part 1; determining formatsupporting of MPEG4 system part 11; determining format supporting ofMPEG4 system part 12; determining format supporting of MPEG4 system part13; determining format supporting of MPEG4 system part 14; determiningformat supporting of MPEG4 system part 15; and determining formatsupporting of MPEG4 system part
 16. 15. The data request methodaccording to claim 12, wherein the step of selecting the predeterminedfile format supporting further includes the steps of: determining MP4file format supporting; determining QuickTime file format supporting;determining AVi file format supporting; determining MP2 file formatsupporting; determining MP21 file format supporting; determining ASFfile format supporting; determining another file format used in anotherarea; and determining a future file format.
 16. The data request methodaccording to claim 12, wherein the step of selecting the predeterminedcommunication protocol further includes the steps of: determining RTPprotocol supporting: determining H.323 protocol supporting: determiningSIP protocol supporting: determining HTTP protocol supporting:determining TCP/IP protocol supporting; and determining another protocolsupporting.
 17. A data distribution method in a first terminal in a datadistribution system that distributes data adapting to a second terminalfrom a first terminal having data to the second terminal, comprising thesteps of: receiving a distribution request of data adapting to thesecond terminal from the second terminal and receiving a URL related toinformation of the second terminal; acquiring information of the secondterminal described in tree structure from the URL; selecting dataadapting to the second terminal on the basis of the acquiredinformation; and transmitting the selected data to the second terminal.18. The data distribution method according to claim 17, wherein as theinformation of the second terminal described in tree structure,information related to basic characteristics of the second terminal,information related to AV coding capability of the second terminal, andpieces of information related to a multimedia input/output of the secondterminal are branched and described as branch information.
 19. The datadistribution method according to claim 17, wherein the step of selectingdata adapting to the second terminal on the basis of the acquiredinformation in the first terminal includes the steps of: parsing theinformation of the second terminal described in tree structure andobtained from the URL; selecting data adapting to the second terminal onthe basis of branch information described in tree structure and obtainedby the parsing.